travel or staff nurse in first yr after school?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 5, 2008

I don't care how smart a person was in nursing school-they are not capable enough or safe enough to be a new grad travel nurse.

AprilRNhere · May 5, 2008

It's highly unlikely that you'd find a travel job right away. You need more orientation and training than they can/will provide. If that's what you want to do..look into finding a facility that has a great new grad program and learn everything you can while you get your 1-2 years experience.

SoundofMusic · May 5, 2008

I wouldn't and am not going to consider it until I've had a couple years under my belt. Our travelers either get 2-3 days of orientation, or I've also seen them come on shifts with NO orientation whatsoever to the unit, and given the full load of patients. The hospital assumes I guess theyr'e getting a functional nurse, and they expect them to be.

It's a weird thing with travelers. They need them, they treat them well, sometimes even better than us new grads by far, yet they also are quick to criticize them if there's something wrong.

I'm not sure I want to go that route. I'm all for knowing who I work with, being comfortable around people for the long term, being loyal to my emloyers -- I don't need the money to where I am my sole supporter, so it's not the money, although I think nurses SHOULD be paid what the travelers are paid --we ALL ought to be paid that way and maybe we will someday.

MiaNJ · May 7, 2008

Is it better to work staff for awhile after you graduate from school. Or is it ok too go into travel nursing right away?

I don't think you'd be able to be a travel nurse as a new grad. Every ad I've seen for travel nurse says at least 1 year experience, preferably more. I would feel uncomfortable being a travel nurse if I haven't had any orientation or enough experience.

NeoNurseTX, RN · May 7, 2008

I wouldn't work for a travel agency that didn't require experience...